Smoking is a horrible habit and if you’ve ever tried to kick it you know how difficult it can be.
It’s been a huge part of society and often it’s the peer pressure and image which attracts many, then they quickly develop that addictive calm that nicotine provides. It’s a senseless and ridiculous addiction, often the only door out reads “cancer” on the outside. Nevertheless, quitting is a must and you need to be supported by others and develop a strong will to stop. You should also know what to expect.
Here’s what happens after you quit:
20 minutes
Expect your heart rate to go back to normal and your blood pressure also. Sensations will start to come alive in hands and legs. As your body clears itself of the nicotine, the cravings will kick in and that’s when your strong will needs to also kick in to counter.
8 Hours
You blood cells have been bonded with the inhaled carbon monoxide while tobacco burns. This prevents oxygen to bond to cells. Cardiovascular disease is the result.
Your carbon monoxide levels get cut in half by the 8th hour of quitting. Oxygen levels jack back up to normal. Heart attack risk lowers.
48 Hours
Smell and taste are affected negatively from smoking. After 48 hours they may begin to kick back in. Nerve endings re-grow, become revitalized. That food you had to over-season to experience taste, will no longer need to be spiced or seasoned.
Nicotine will be gone and this will likely cause a craving and a feeling of nausea. It only gets better if your will power remains strong.
72 Hours
Lungs start to revitalize. Deeper breaths become possible.
Repair will take place in the cilia in your lungs. They will start to function normally again. Heart attack risk lowers even more. Risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease also lowers.
2 Weeks
Lungs clean themselves out, throwing out the toxins and nicotine. Body is able to perform repairs due to no toxins being taken in.
Physical activity becomes easier. Cardio exercises becomes easier as shortness of breath issues don’t appear.
3 to 9 Months
Skin looks better. Feels soft again. Blood circulation improves. Elasticity of skin also improves as skin produces more collagen, and puts off wrinkle formation.
1 to 5 years
Heart disease risk gets cut in half. Typical smoker physical features go away after 1 to 5 years.
No more yellow fingers, yellow teeth. Blood now circulates more in your gums. Cancer risks lower by 50%, including lung cancer, the most common.
10 to 15 years
The need to smoke is likely no longer a factor and the results of being smoker free are a huge positive and something you are thankful about. You reach the same risk of heart disease and cancer as a non-smoker after 15 years. Your health risks associated with smoking are gone and your life expectancy will have increased.
It’s all up to you now. It starts with that first step of deciding to quit. Go for it!
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